Revision as of 11:13, 26 January 2007

The Last Word is a strongly worded left-leaning populist zine that began in Highland Heights, Kentucky, in 1993 and is still published in Bellevue, Kentucky. To date, over 400 issues have been published.

The Last Word began as a print zine but evolved into an online zine. This zine (and author) aroused so much controversy in the late 1990s that text-only copies of it were repeatedly deleted from Usenet, even if they were only posted on one newsgroup (alt.zines).

The Last Word is one of few zines to issue endorsements in local, state, and national elections. In 2000 it endorsed Ralph Nader for President of the United States. It usually endorses third party populists but has frequently favored Democrats in the absence of a more suitable candidate. The Last Word has also taken strong stances against racism and school uniforms and has strongly supported labor causes.

The Last Word also features humor articles (many of which discuss the editor's former high school, which he has an extremely low opinion of) and often uses its own vocabulary. This zine also makes up humorous nicknames for politicians it dislikes.

The editor claims that fake copies of the zine were distributed in the mid-1990s, with material that he did not write.

Although The Last Word stopped publishing in 1996, it quickly resumed publication due to popular demand. According to the editor, he got the idea for the name The Last Word when he won an argument and was told, "You always have to have the last word on everything."

Subject matter

The Last Word features a mix of articles ranging from the very serious to uproarious. Most articles are about the acts of government agencies, politicians, the media, or businesses. Although The Last Word is reputed to be one of the most left-wing zines ever to appear online, it has opposed gun control. The Last Word places a heavy focus on student issues, economic matters, and First Amendment cases. It is also known for opposing psychiatric abuse and has been extremely critical of George W. Bush.

Other articles deal with matters that the editor has had personal dealings with. These pieces have occasionally exposed shoddy merchandise or service at stores. Several stories have chronicled the editor receiving bills for services he did not order, his refusal to pay these bills, and the subsequent humiliation of the billing parties when proven wrong.

The Last Word has occasionally featured a piece titled "Daily Fuzz", which lists unusual, often humorous calls the editor hears on his police scanner.

A few articles have been featured following road trips taken by the editor, describing mischief he engaged in on the trip. In the 1990s, the editor often conducted a Fourth of July bonfire, prompting a humorous article in The Last Word listing unusual items that were burned.

Catchphrases

The Last Word is known for its catchphrases, neologisms, and made-up phrases. Some examples include:

Allowed Cloud - A prohibition against a certain action or condition.

bunker blast - The act of passing gas.

voopvoopavoop wrong! - A phrase used to correct an incorrect statement. Derives from the tuba sound effect used on the American version of The Price Is Right when a contestant loses a game.